Vučić: Europe Must Change, It Can't Keep Up with China and the US
EU Labels China as a So-Called "High-Risk Country" — China Ministry of Commerce: Firmly Opposes
+
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić stated that Europe must change, as it can no longer compete with China and the United States in terms of economic growth.
Speaking during the signing of a contract with Chinese contractors for the construction of a highway in central Serbia, Vučić said: “We must prepare ourselves for the tough times ahead... Europe must transform itself, because it cannot withstand competition with China and the United States. We cannot match them in productivity; to achieve a 3.5% economic growth rate, we must work even harder.”
In early April, Serbia's president did not rule out the possibility of imposing export bans on food products due to armed conflicts worldwide, energy crises, and disruptions in critical supply chains.
Vučić said on April 3 that humanity is standing at the edge of a cliff, and he expects global food prices to rise following increases in fertilizer and plastic product prices.
+
On May 7, China's Ministry of Commerce spokesperson responded to reporters' questions, stating that the EU labeling China as a so-called "high-risk country" constitutes stigmatization of China and imposes unfair, discriminatory treatment on Chinese products. China rejects this and firmly opposes it.
Reporter’s question: According to media reports, some EU officials said that projects using inverters from “high-risk countries” such as China would be barred from receiving financial support from the EU. What is China’s comment on this?
The spokesperson replied that China has taken note of the report. The EU, without any factual evidence, has for the first time designated China as a so-called “high-risk country,” and then used this as grounds to prohibit funding support for projects using Chinese inverters. This is an act of stigmatization against China and imposes unfair and discriminatory treatment on Chinese products. China refuses to accept this and firmly opposes it.
The spokesperson pointed out that by labeling China as a “high-risk country,” the EU undermines mutual trust between China and Europe, damages bilateral economic and trade cooperation, harms stability of the China-Europe and even global industrial and supply chains, and risks triggering decoupling or severed supply links. The EU's forced measures to exclude Chinese products run counter to market principles and fairness, not only harming Chinese enterprises but also rebounding negatively on the EU itself, undermining its green transition and energy security.
The spokesperson further stated that China urges the EU to immediately cease the stigmatization of China as a “high-risk country” and abolish unfair and discriminatory practices against Chinese products. China will closely monitor the situation and carefully assess the impact of EU policies on Chinese enterprises’ interests and China-Europe supply chains, taking necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1864570169507852/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone